The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has impounded 12 trucks containing different types of solid minerals mined without licence.
The anti-graft agency also arrested 41 suspected illegal miners operating on different mining fields in the State.
Mr. Michael Nzekwe, the EFCC’s Zonal Commander, paraded the suspects in Ilorin on Tuesday, saying they were apprehended in a variety of places, including Patigi, Igbeti, and Ogbomoso near Kwara State.
Nzekwe said that most of the arrested suspects were truck drivers, adding that some of them had named some foreign nationals and one or two Nigerian big men who were behind the illegal mining.
The Commander further stated that the EFCC would not relent in its efforts to fight against corruption just as it is leaving no stone unturned in breaking the rings of the illegal mining operators across the country.
“Aside from the law that frowns on illegal mining activities, the act is an economy sabotage capable of causing environmental devastation, socio-economic hardship, insecurity, banditry and a host of other vices.” Nzekwe said.
According to him, the offence is punishable with life imprisonment under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.
The Suspects arrested include; Nura Lawan, Tunde Jimoh, Sani Umar, Oyeleke Sunkanmi, Adegboyega Oluwashola, Mohammed Umar, Muhammed Abubakar, Dawud Muideen, Chukwu Okpara Idam, Ganiyu Roqeeb, Umina Umina, Nura Ibrahim, Isiyaku Jibril and Samaila Ibrahim.
Others are; Idris Isah, Abdullahi Adamu, Yusuf Auwal, Aminu Usman, Muhammed Musa, Yusuf Ibrahim, Abdullahi Sani, Ishola Mayowa Qudus, Zakariyau Yusuf, Abubakar Dauda, Mohammed A Mohammed, Soliu Mohammed, Sunday Adewale and Adeyemi Michael.
